There is a Direct Correlation

Between my frequent postings, and my success in weight loss. So I'm making a conscious effort to post more, and hopefully, lose better, so I'll have more to talk about :-)


I'm happy to report that I did the Biggest Loser Cardio Max tonight for the first time in months. And It felt great to get a quick workout in when I really did not want to work out at all. Lately I've had every excuse in the world, and it's been working. So hopefully this is the start of me sticking to a schedule, no matter what.

I also stuck to my meal plan. Buffalo chicken bites (which we did make with buffalo, haha), 1/2 C rice and roasted brussel sprouts. It. Was. Delicious. Coupled with 2.5 jojos, I am feeling good about my efforts so far :-) Hopefully Day 2+  of keeping on track goes as well as day one :-)

Also, some pictures I've been meaning to post :-)

Look Closely. just walking down the street, NBD

The perfect Friday night drink at my favorite new bar :)

please ignore the blur, and the sneakers. Commuting kills my feet, but it was a skinny pic, so I had to :)

The best salad place of my life is right around the corner from work.  8 bucks, 2 proteins, and as many toppings as you want. It's fantastic

I'm loving working in downtown Boston :-) Expect more shots to come

Happy Tuesday!

200!

Before I update, I want to commemorate the fact that this is my 200th post! I haven't posted much lately, partially because I've been  overwhelmed with starting a new job, and working every day since like February(thanks to babysitting), so when I get home from work, I'm just so drained all I want to do is lie on my couch, not update here or god forbid go for a walk or something, heaven forbid.

I also haven't wanted to sound like a broken record. My weight loss efforts the past few weeks have been plagued by drinks and chocolates brought home from Ireland, and stuff like that. And my lack of working out hasn't helped. But I hit a high 2 weeks ago of 202 (gah. Not so okay), and last week weighed in at 200.4. This week I maintained, but was okay with it.

And this weekend? Well I tracked everything, so thats good. Friday night I planned to go out for a drink or two. Which turned into 6, with no dinner in my stomach. I ate right when I got home at 9, but it was too late haha. The positive of Friday, is I joined the gym up the street from me. Technically , it's a community center, not a gym. But it's literally a 2 minute walk, and has a giant pool. The gym is small, like 6-8 machines and a weights room, but it's workable, and has what I need. Which is good :) I'm hoping to really get into swimming, and signing up for groupon deals I see around for classes, to supplement my workouts. But, I have a decent gym to work out in, that is so close and convienent, I hopefully can stop with the excuses :)

The rest of the weekend was ok as far as my efforts went. Saturday I hiked with Matt and my sisters. It was really hot, and I wanted to die at a few parts. Matt almost did die on the way home, we're thinking he may have had the beginnings of heat stroke. So next time we might not hike when it's that humid outside :) But I burnt 765 calories, and felt good about it all afterwards :)

Last night I went out with Matt and his parents, and then later on with  two of our friends. It was a lot of fun, and during the day I made decent choices, and was just within my calorie limit. With the drinking, I went way over, but kept my wits about me :)

Today was more of the same. Matt got good burgers from the deli and we split one, with some chips on the side :) I may have had some sangria which I probably could have done without, but still ok :-)

So thankfully we have a short week ahead. My plan is to work out tomorrow, and Thursday night.

And also, my meal plan for the (shortened) week. We are using a groupon deal for a date night on Thursday, and then going to a beer fest friday so I'm going out for lunch to this place called Al's. Its a great deal, and I'm getting a large sub and splitting it between lunch and dinner. Otherwise, It should be a good week, and I'm excited to get back into a workout routine :)

Self Image

When I first started my weight loss journey, the thing that really lit a fire under my ass was pictures from my trip to Florida. I couldn't believe how huge I was, and it was enough to make me start to change my life.

I did really well, I'm proud of my success. But, like anything that's hard and takes work, I got really tired, and used a long weekend away last June as an excuse to give myself a weekend off. I even remember posing it as a question on the boards, and getting back "Well, when I take a break, I find it hard to get back on track", or "I always track, even if its 1000 points. You can give yourself a break on vacation, but I wouldn't completely not track"

I didn't listen, and loved not tracking, drinking and eating without abandon, and not working out. I tracked when  I came back, but fell into old patterns.

And then my stomach cramps started with running. Which made me not want to work out, and I started getting lax on my strength training as well.

I'm honestly amazed I still weigh 199 today, and not 20 pounds heavier or something. Maybe my scale is broken? I kid, I know I haven't been that bad, but I need to not be shocked when I don't do well, and when the scale won't move.

So anyways, you all know this, this is nothing new. What is new? Late last week I had to have my ID picture taken. I was kind of shocked at how chubby my face looked in the picture. And instead of saying "Ok Marie this is your moment, get back on", instead I drank thursday night, and excessively on Friday night as well. Oh, and I was too hungover to workout on Saturday.

And that my friends was my final moment. I decided I'm not drinking more than a few every once and awhile, and no more than 2X a week. I am pre-tracking my food, and trying not to overdo it. And honestly? I feel pretty good about my efforts.

I went for a walk on Monday, and Wednesday night had a really hard workout (in the 40 minutes of cardio I did was really hard. It's amazing how fast my ability wanes)at the Planet Fitness downtown. Which sucks, by the way. It's dirty, over crowded, and the machines are so old. You get what you pay for I guess, but I'm switching to the gym near my house as soon as I get off early (the office is only open from 9-5 to sign up)

Basically, I'm making an effort. I want to be at 189 by the time California comes around in the Fall. I know the past year has been stressful, with work changes, jobs lost, moving out, and just life in general. But I need to relearn self control, and how to only have a serving, or one beer (and yes I relate the fact that I've had zero self control with drinks to my no self control with food).

So I'm back, and hopefully it sticks

Because It's Friday Night, and I just, just just just just

Got. Paid. :-) That may be old school,  haha. I'm sitting here, tired on a friday night, but not so tired I want to stop drinking and go to bed. So instead I'm here. Watching Going the Distance (which I've just decided someone needs to buy me, because I think this is one of my favorite girlie movies).

Anyy ways, I'm watching this, drinking wine, (Alamos Malbec, which is, in my humble opinion one of the best cheap Malbecs. Its so flavorful!!) And I have three confessions to make:

1.I drank 3 times this week Tuesday night, Thursday night, and tonight. Not so great, instead:
2. I ate. White chocolate Chips, and light Dessert
3. On the positive side, I recognize I could have done AT LEAST  75% better. Seriously. I didn't work out at all, I ate more than I shoulda, and I'm sitting here at 12:59. on a Friday, and starting tomorrow, its going to be 10 times better.

So Starting tomorrow(because I'm tired and sleepy)

We're back on plan!